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Sunday, 30 April 2017

Everton 0 Chelsea 3: Pedro stunner sets the tone as Conte's men pass final major test

A Pedro stunner sent Chelsea on their way to an impressive 3-0 win at
Everton as Antonio Conte's men passed arguably their last major test to
take a huge step towards winning the Premier League.
Chelsea moved seven points clear of second-place Tottenham – who host
Arsenal later on Sunday – and are left with four relatively
straightforward fixtures against Middlesbrough, West Brom, Watford and
already-relegated Sunderland, three of which are at home.
The early exchanges were frantic and both sides went close to
breaking the deadlock – Dominic Calvert-Lewin hitting the upright for
Everton, before the lively Eden Hazard agonisingly missed the target.
After an open first half Chelsea became more dominant in midfield
following the interval, eventually breaking Everton's resolve through a
moment of genius from Pedro 24 minutes from time.
BANG! #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/W1mLSaNJ2y
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 30, 2017A fortuitous Gary Cahill
effort and a well-worked goal from substitute Willian followed towards
the end as Chelsea rounded off an emphatic second-half performance,
though the loss of David Luiz to what appeared to be a groin injury may
provide cause for concern.
The result damages the hopes of closest challengers Spurs, who still
have to face West Ham, Manchester United, Leicester City and Hull City
after this weekend.
Everton's start at Goodison Park gave every indication that Chelsea were not going to have everything their own way.
With just over a minute gone, Ross Barkley played Calvert-Lewin into
the left side of the area and the youngster drilled against the post.
Chelsea stepped things up soon after, though, and went very close in the 11th minute.
Diego Costa charged forward on the break and released Hazard in
behind, but he could only find the side-netting after skipping past
Maarten Stekelenburg.
The respective defences were continuously second best and Romelu
Lukaku – linked with an end-of-season return to Chelsea – highlighted
that when shrugging off David Luiz and firing just wide of the left-hand
post from 25 yards.
And Costa was similarly dominant a few moments later, nudging Phil
Jagielka before inexplicably slicing a volley well over from 10 yards.
Proceedings calmed a little towards the end of the half, but Everton
still managed to spurn another chance. Enner Valencia got inside Cahill
and crossed to Lukaku, who somehow failed to connect with it.
Chelsea were more purposeful at the start of the second half and they
very nearly made the most of that when Victor Moses dragged a good
effort narrowly wide of the left-hand post following a well-worked
corner.
Everton remained a threat and Lukaku did well just after the hour
mark, cutting in from the right, beating two men and then getting a shot
away, but a deflection made it easy for Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea finally produced the moment that their season has deserved,
as Pedro was afforded space 25 yards from goal and he lashed an
unstoppable left-footed drive into the top-left corner.
Any chance of an Everton turnaround was essentially put to bed 13
minutes later. Hazard lashed a low free-kick into the danger zone from
the left flank and Stekelenburg parried it on to Cahill, who did enough
to nudge the ball over the line.
4 - Gary Cahill has scored more Premier League goals against Everton than against any other opponent (4). Fantastic.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 30, 2017Willian had not even been on
two minutes before wrapping things, burying fellow substitute Cesc
Fabregas' inch-perfect cutback to cap off a flowing move to bring the
title closer.

Key Opta stats:
- Ronald Koeman's two heaviest league defeats in charge of Everton have both come against Chelsea this term (5-0 and 3-0).-
The Toffees failed to score in a Premier League game at Goodison Park
for the first time in 2017, having averaged 3.7 goals per match prior to
this defeat.- Chelsea kept their first clean sheet in the Premier League since January (v Hull), ending an 11-game run without one.- Romelu Lukaku remains without a goal against former club Chelsea in the Premier League (six games).